Friday, November 30, 2007

Jebus, why all the hostility?

Many of you may be aware of or subscribe to Sandi Wiseheart's Knitting Daily newsletter. I find it mildly interesting, and they generally offer free patterns at the end of each post, many of which are very nice.

Sandi started this newsletter back in April, I believe. In that time, I think three of the posts have been dedicated to crochet. Three posts out of about 85 or so, according to some comments I read.

One of the more recent posts was written by Kim Werker, editor of Interweave Crochet magazine. I subscribe to both IC and IK, and I like them both very much. Do I like every single pattern in each magazine? No. But I like a lot of them. One of my favorites from the latest issue of IC is the Melange Sweater by Katie Himmelberg. If you haven't seen it, it's a gorgeous sweater with a knit body and crocheted sleeves and collar. I love it. I was not upset to see a half-knit garment in my crochet magazine either. However, judging by comments left on Kim's post, many people are upset that the folks at Interweave Press would have the audacity to include articles on the lowly art of crochet in Knitting Daily. Here's a little taste of the feedback Kim's post received:

Enough with the crochet already!! I know the mag exists, please stop trying to push this stuff on us!!!
And yes, I know how to crochet. I learned to crochet before I learned how to knit, but this is called KNITTING Daily.
Comment by: Gretchen M November 14, 2007


I don't crochet and have no interest in learning. If I wanted to read about crochet I'd subscribe to a crochet magazine.
What's the difference between knitting and crochet? While knitting patterns can run the gamut from beautiful to fugly, all crochet patterns are fugly.
Comment by: Sherri C November 14, 2007


Here! Here! I agree!!! If you wanna talk about crochet, then make a 'crochet daily' don't torture me with this crap. I too learned to crochet first, and you know what.... I HATE it!
I've posted before about disliking the crochet mixed in with the knitting. Its happened enough now that sometimes I dread opening my knitting daily email because I figure it is either a sales pitch for a book I can't afford to buy or it is about crochet.
I am seriously considering unsubscribing to this newsletter because of it.
Comment by: Patricia G November 14, 2007


Um, not to be uppity or anything, but if I were interested in crochet rather than knitting, I would subscribe to a crochet newsletter. If this is called "Knitting Daily" why are we getting all of this stuff on crocheting? If you'd like to go this direction, please alert us or change the name to "Crochet Daily" so that we can sort out the info we are interested in. Just my two cents. I'll probably cancel out if it is going to be crochet-oriented. There are other knitting sites. Thanks.
Comment by: Janet L November 15, 2007


Thank God for this woman:

I've just caught up reading everyone else's posts and ENOUGH with the whining about crochet already. My God! What a bunch of snobby, spoiled-rotten babies! One would think you had been physically threatened into reading the post for the day. It said at the very top who that day's guest writer was. You didn't HAVE to read it. You are also being unimaginably RUDE to a guest that Sandi invited to fill in for her. How mortified Sandi must be at the treatment her fill-in has received. Shame on each of you for your childish and petty behavior!
Comment by: Shannon J November 19, 2007


Can someone explain all this goddamned hostility to me? I started out as a crocheter, and I still consider myself to be primarily a crocheter. I can knit and I like to knit, I'm just sort of slow at it and I hate fixing mistakes in knitting, particularly when working in a pattern. Do I hate knitters? No, I admire them and the beautiful work they produce. Do I hate knitting? No, I subscribe to one knitting magazine and most of my books contain knitting patterns. Do I like every crochet pattern I come across? No - if I see one more freakin' sweater with a granny square motif in it I'm going to puke. I will also puke if I see one more freakin' Fun Fur knitted scarf (yes, they are still out there!). I would like to knit socks, but I can't imagine knitting a blanket - it would take me forever! Both are valid crafts, and each has advantages over the other in one situation or another.

Can't we all just get along?

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Thursday, November 29, 2007

I should be doing homework.

Oh well, tough noogies. I'm going to blog instead.

Back at the end of April I thought to myself, "You know, I'm clearly not spending enough money, and I could use some additional responsibility and headache in my daily life. How can I remedy this terrible situation?"

The answer? Why, go to the SPCA and adopt two kittens!

The kittens, or catlets as Banana refers to them, are now nine months old and wreaking havoc on my already havoc-wreaked house. Being the brainiac that I am, I thought nothing of living some lovely, expensive, delicate laceweight kid mohair lying about in the open.

Note cute cat head at bottom of pic. Also note the goddamn yarn strewn about.

Fuck.

The little jackass is back for more.

Actually, I'm fairly certain it was his brother who did it, not him. Although the catlet in the picture, Carlos, has been known to take my Koigu for a walk. And the Araucania Nature Wool. And the cheap-ass acrylic. It's great fun. Really.

Here's a super-duper secret Christmas gifty-poo for a family member of mine. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and it was really quick to make as well. Gotta love it.

Here's a simple side-to-side double crochet afghan. I'm not so sure this will be finished in time for Christmas. Oh well. I am pleasantly surprised with this yarn. It's just acrylic, but I like the way it's working up and almost making a pattern. I was afraid it would pool in an ugly way or look too much like camouflage.


This here is My So Called Scarf. This also going to be a Christmas present for a close family friend. The yarn in person is not quite so lavender, it's more of a gray or mauve. It's really pretty, and I really like this pattern. I can see myself making more of these in the future.

Here's another ginormous afghan. I'm pretty sure this will be going to the Banana's teacher for Christmas. It's made of a thin boucle, and I'm surprised at how light it is. It's really warm and soft too, and I have a lot of this yarn, so I may have to make a blankie for myself. Maybe.

I have a lot of knitting and crocheting that I would like to do before Christmas, and I'm not so sure it's going to get done. I should be able to finish the granny-square afghan and So Called Scarf in time for the holidays, and I think I can bust out two Bainbridge Scarves if I crochet them. We shall see. I won't be knitting or crocheting or blogging much in the next week, as next Wednesday is my last class. I need to write 3 papers, make a video, and do an online technology portfolio in the next week. And work. And sleep. And take the Banana to ballet and a party. And take WT out to dinner for his birthday. And stuff.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Wish me luck.

***

I am a bad knitter and crocheter. I haven't made anything for my husband or daughter! Next year is their year. My goal is to make two sweaters for each of them by this time next year. I want to make a basic pullover and a basic cardigan for the Banana, and I want to make Brooklyn Tweed's Cobblestone and LMKG's Forest Gansey for WT. I already have the yarn for all except the Forest Gansey.

Think I can do it in 12 months? I think I can. Might be time to put another ticker at the top of my blog. We'll see.

That's all for now. See ya later, alligators!

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Friday, November 23, 2007

That for which I am most thankful

Photo of Banana by my father

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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!


Things for which I am grateful:
  • My family
  • My job
  • My house
  • My health
  • My friends
  • My crafts
  • Good food
  • Music
  • My pets
  • Nature
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Come to the dark side

If you are on the fence about the beauty of crochet, go to Moonstitches' blog and check out her Rhubarb Scarf. It is GORGEOUS. All of her other stuff is fantastic as well. Her zakka owls are adorable - I really need to learn how to sew.

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Oh, what the hell

I can't stop meme-ing! Saw this on Sharon's blog, so here we go.

38 things about me that you may or may not want to know.

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? My daughter.
2. What were you doing at 0800? Lying in bed, talking to WT.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Crocheting a Christmas gift.
4. What happened to you in 2006? My mother died.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud? "If you want to tell me something, come in here, don't yell from the living room!"
6. How many beverages did you have today? So far: one hot chocolate, one hot tea, one coffee.
7. What color is your hairbrush? I don't brush my hair - makes it frizzy beyond belief.
8. What was the last thing you paid for? A bunch of stuff at Target.
9. Where were you last night? Home watching TV and crocheting.
10. What color is your front door? Clear (it's glass).
11. Where do you keep your change? In a bowl on the kitchen counter.
12. What’s the weather like today? Breezy and chilly.
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Cookies n cream.
14. What excites you? Travel and good music.
15. Do you want to cut your hair? Just got it cut about a week ago.
16. Are you over the age of 25? Fo shizzle.
17. Do you talk a lot? Depends on who I'm talking to.
18. Do you watch the O.C.? No.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yes.
20. Do you make up your own words? Yes.
21. Are you a jealous person? Sometimes.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "A". Anne Marie.
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "S". Sara.
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? WT.
25. What does the last text message you received say? "Can you get my notes from yesterday for me?" From my student at work.
26. Do you chew on your straw? No.
27. Do you have curly hair? Oh yeah.
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? A 5-year-old birthday party at Kids n Clay.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? My niece's (by marriage) husband. He's an idiot.
30. What was the last thing you ate? Country Joe's Scramble at Ray's Diner.
31. Will you get married in the future? Nope, already married, once is it!
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? I can't remember what I watched on TV last night, much less in the past two weeks.
33. Is there anyone you like right now? Of course! That's kind of a silly question.
34. When was the last time you did the dishes? Uhhhh... two days ago? Maybe?
35. Are you currently depressed? Nah.
36. Did you cry today? Thankfully, no.
37. Why did you answer and post this? I think memes are fun.
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey: No. You may respond of your own free will.

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Norah Gaughan, Volume 1

I like to knit and crochet and paint and cook, but I generally don't think of myself as creative in the sense of having a unique vision. I'm good at copying what other people do. That being said, I really admire designers who are able to bring together many elements that please me. Right now, one of those designers is Norah Gaughan. Have you seen the designs in her latest volume from Berroco? They are gorgeous. Below are two of my favorite ensembles. (I'm sick [AGAIN], so I'll probably be blogging a lot today. Instead of writing papers for class. Or sleeping. Or knitting.)


I was never a huge fan of knitted skirts, but the one above is just sensational. Just the right length, the pattern is not too busy, not too poufy, and Lord knows it has to be comfy as well as stylish. And I'm all about the comfort factor. I also love it together with the long sweater and scarf, although I'd probably leave out the pom poms. I'm not really a pom pom kind of gal.

Here's a different take on a comparable theme. The colors are lovely, and I am really digging the knitted belt used to cinch the vest high at the waist. These designs also make me want to run out and spend hundreds of dollars on fabulous boots. Cuz, y'know, I have hundreds of dollars just lying around to spend on thigh-high suede boots.

Jebus. So many gorgeous patterns, so little time and money...

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You have got to be kidding me

I saw this article on Yahoo!. This is preposterous. I have never been offended by this, and I can't imagine that children would be either.

Give me a break, for cryin' out loud!

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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Television

As I sat down this evening to get my weekly fix of The Biggest Loser, I began to think about the role that television plays in my life. I try not to let it rule my evenings; I have been known to turn it off if nothing strikes my fancy. But then I began to think of TV through the course of my life...

When I was a kid, the sound of the TV on at night was very comforting to me. My brother and I shared a room right down the hall from the living room, and I remember lying in bed, listening to the hushed tones of the TV and of my parents' voices. Some TV show themes make me particularly nostalgic: Welcome Back Kotter, The Waltons, and others. Life stood still on Saturday nights at eight o'clock when The Muppet Show was on. The four of us, Mom, Dad, Glenn, and I, would gather on the sofa to watch Kermit and Miss Piggy and Gonzo and the rest, and laugh our butts off.

I would race home after school to watch TV, and wake up extra early on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons. Who didn't love the Superfriends (Wonder Twin powers, activate!)? I was addicted to The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, and Little House on the Prairie. The best movies were on the UHF channels at 4 pm on Sundays: Clash of the Titans, Godzilla, and all the kung fu movies.

As a teenager, TV was a way to bond with my mother. We'd watch Moonlighting together, or Miami Vice, and sometimes Magnum, PI. We lusted after Tom Selleck and Bruce Willis, but not so much Don Johnson - a little too slick for our taste. TV brought my brother and I together too, as who could possibly miss Pee Wee's Playhouse? Mecca lecca hi, mecca hiney ho!

In college, I started to watch the 11 o'clock news as a way to unwind (what can I say, the 90s were good to me). In grad school, my roommates and I would invite everyone over to eat, drink, watch X-Files and The Muppet Show in French, and play cards. It was cheap and fun.

Now I watch Sesame Street with the Banana, and they still show some of the skits they showed when I was a kid. This summer, I really got into the Phillies, and the games became a way for WT and I to spend time together. TV has always been a big part of WT's life, as his father was a newscaster for quite some time in Philadelphia and New York. As I flip aimlessly through all 300 channels that we now have, I still pause sometimes to watch Little House. It takes me back.

While TV may not be the optimum way to spend my evenings, I sometimes have difficulty turning it off. I also spend too much time on this here dang computer. ;o) Even in this day and age of seemingly endless new technologies and gadgets, there's still something a little magical about television. And it's not always what's on at the moment.

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Thursday, November 08, 2007

Three months down, two to go

Hola. It has been exactly three months since I bought yarn. Gah. I can't believe I've made it this far. I am already scheming as to what I am going to buy on January 8th. Cotton Ease. Malabrigo. Araucania Nature Wool. O-Wool. Cestari. Silky Tweed. Mmmmmm... yarn.

In other horrifically boring news, I have to write two papers in the next week. Why the hell do professors think they can get away with NOT giving me deadlines? Jebus, I hate that. Tell me when it's due! He even had the temerity to tell the class we could hand in all of our papers over Christmas break. No! I will not! So being the procrastinator I am, I have let it all go to the end of the semester. You would think I would have learned by now, but no. I have not learned.

Started My So Called Scarf. Can I tell you how much I love the stitch pattern? It's awesome. I believe it is the same pattern as for the Herringbone Poncho in LMKG. I'm generally not a poncho kind of gal, but this one just speaks to me. I think maybe I'll get some Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool or something. I have some Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, but it's blue, and I really think this poncho needs to be off-white. It just looks good that way.

Dude, Thanksgiving is in two weeks. What the hell.

My dad bought another fire hydrant for his backyard. He now has four. They don't work, mind you - they are purely for decoration. That's my dad.

Christ I am boring.

See ya later, alligators. ;o)

Monday, November 05, 2007

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired

***WARNING - PITY PARTY DEAD AHEAD***

I've been sick since Halloween and I don't like it. It started out as laryngitis, and has now morphed into a chest cold. I haven't slept well in a week, and I'm not a nice person when I don't sleep well. When I try to go to sleep, my chest and head get all gunked up and then I can't breathe properly. Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh. Pooooooooor meeeeeeeeee.

Ahem. Now back to our regularly-scheduled programming.

***

In other news, the upside to being sick is that it allows me plenty of time to ignore papers I should be writing and internet research I should be doing, in favor of knitting and crocheting! I have started two news projects - another secret gift that I can't post about, and another afghan (shocking!). I just need to crank these bad boys out so I can move onto other things, like a couple of Bainbridge Scarves. I also want to make a My So-Called Scarf - I love that stitch pattern! Not sure what yarn I'll be using though. I have some lovely Araucania Nature Wool, but I fear it may be too itchy to be worn right on your neck. I love the color variations in kettle-dyed yarn. Jebus, I can't wait for this frickin' yarn diet to be over. Thursday will be THREE months since I bought any frickin' yarn. Frickity-frick frick.

***

I want more tattoos. I am currently obsessed with LA Ink and Miami Ink. My favorite artists are Hannah Aitchison and Chris Garver. I love Hannah's use of color, and Chris is just a damn fine artist. I think I'll try to get on LA Ink, and just let Hannah go nuts all over my right shoulder with flowers and birds and butterflies and dragonflies and frogs and God knows what else. That would be cool. And I'm all about being cool. It's all about image, folks. :op

'Kay, that's it. TTFN.

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Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Her Noble Excellency Sally the Cosmopolitan of Chortling Chesterton
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Friday, November 02, 2007

Two finished objects

Well, here's one, anyways:


It's a lapghan, made of Jo-Ann's Sensations something-or-other. It's acrylic and fuzzy and soft and I like it. This will be a Christmas present for someone at the Banana's school. Didn't take too long to make, which is always nice.

I can't show you the other FO because it's a present for someone who reads my blog. Sorry. But I'm really happy with the way it came out, and it only took me about 4 hours to make it! It was originally supposed to be knitted, according to the pattern, but that would have taken way too long, so I crocheted it. It's a little big, but for this project it's not a huge issue. I'm going to make at least one more for someone else I know who reads this blog on occasion. :o)

Here's the Banana on the right with her little friend. They dressed as twin pink fairy princesses for Halloween, in case you couldn't figure it out. They had quite a good time, and collected a fair amount of Halloween booty. Sweet!

I went to therapy last night, even though I could hardly speak due to a lovely case of laryngitis. And by therapy, I mean knitting group. I haven't been since mid-August due to class on Wednesday nights. It was so good to see everyone!! Class ends December 7th, and you better believe I will not be scheduling classes on Wednesday night next semester. ;o)

TTFN!

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